4 Best Hazmat Suits for Toxic Environments

Looking for the ultimate protection for whatever situation you might encounter?

Enter the hazmat (hazardous materials) suit, which can range from painter’s coveralls to fully encapsulated suits with their own air supply.

We’ll cover our favorite picks across the protective ratings so you’ll be prepared to whatever you might face.

Summary of Our Top Picks

1. 
   $129 at Mira Safety
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2. 
   $58 at Amazon
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3. 
   $22 at Amazon
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4. 

   Highest Protection

   DuPont Tychem 1000

   When you absolutely need Level A protection with built-in booties, gloves, & face shield.

   $1200 at DQE
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Best Hazmat Suits

1. Mira Safety CBRN Hazmat Suit

Let’s start with our favorite and probably the most protection you’ll get without something fully encapsulated and with its own air supply.

The Mira Safety CBRN Hazmat Suit features puncture-resistant film composite (same as military grade ones) that protects you against chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals.

And those CBRN letters?

We’ve covered Chemical above…but there’s also Biological, Radiation, and Nuclear protection. Nuclear takes care of traditional nuclear fallout while Radiation covers dirty bomb isotope fallout.

Shelf-life is undetermined but Mira notes that studies on the material used can be up to 20 years if stored correctly in a cool & dry environment.

Reasonably easy to don on and off with zippers and then some Velcro to really get things nice and tight.

However, the hazmat suit itself still leaves gaps in protection that you’ll have to beef up with a respirator.

It becomes a Level C hazmat suit when worn with a standard air-purifying respirator or PAPR and a Level B hazmat suit when worn with an SCBA system.

We love the Mira Safety CM-7M gas masks since you can shoot more easily in them.

Otherwise, check out our other favorites in our Best Gas Masks article.

Comfort is about what you’d expect in something that’s impermeable and meant to protect you from toxic environmental factors.

I didn’t get sweaty simply sitting around standing around but movement did make it a little moist. However, I’m impressed at the agility maintained.

I’m 5’11” and had some room to spare with the L/XL sizing. If you’re ~6’2″ and above or have very long limbs…opt for the 2XL size.

Throw in some Butyl gloves, hazmat booties, and Kappler Chemtape and you’re fully ready to go.

What’s your take on the Mira?

2. DuPont Tyvek 400 Coveralls

Looking for something a little easier to don and wear comfortably when you’re not facing serious contamination?

Our pick is the DuPoint Tyvek 400 Coveralls which protects against dry-particulate hazards.

Traditionally used for spray-painting, lead remediation, and agriculture. It’s decently comfortable even when running and gunning in the desert.

They fit respirators and full-face gas masks well. Make sure to get gloves and Tyvek boot covers if needed.

3. DuPont Tychem 2000 Hazmat Suit

Want to step it up a notch for chemical resistance? Take a look at the Dupont Tychem 2000 Coveralls.

These come with hoods that work well with full-faced gas masks as well as built-in booties. You’re still on your own with gloves, though.

Also, be sure to size up if you’re in between sizes.

Because you’re also upping in protection, expect to be a little sweatier when compared to the previous Tyvek option.

Plus…you’re always ready with a last-minute Halloween costume if needed.

4. DuPont Tychem 1000

When absolutely only the best will do…and you need Level A protection…check out the DuPoint Tychem 1000 suit that will set you back around $1,200.

Available in both front or rear donning models.

And comes with built-in booties, gloves, and face shield. SCBA breathing system is not included though.

Hazmat Suit Ratings

I’ve mentioned ratings of Level A, B, & C above…but what do they mean?

If you see a hazmat suit rating with letters…they are United States ratings while numbers are European.

Level A or Type 1: Highest level of protection against vapors, gases, mists, and particles. The suit is fully-encapsulated and users wear a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) inside the suit. Gas tight.

Level B or Type 2: Protects against splashes from hazardous chemicals and still requires a SCBA but may not be fully encapsulated. Not gas tight.

Level C or Type 4: Protects against liquid chemicals for a limited period. Respiratory protection still required but not a SCBA. Liquid saturation tight.

Level D or Type 6: Does not protect against chemical exposure. A pair of coveralls and chemical resistant footwear is all that is needed.

Conclusion

The hazmat suit may be the ultimate piece of PPE for whatever you may face. Hopefully, we shed some light on the different levels of what you may need.

Check out our Best Gas Masks article if you want to fully kit out your suit.